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Projects of National Interest: The Process

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The Process
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Under the Building Canada Act, the Major Projects Office (MPO) advances executable projects in the national interest, through a streamlined federal review process.

Process to list projects of national interest

Step 1: Project submission

  • Proponents, Indigenous Peoples, provinces and territories, municipalities, etc. submit projects to the MPO.

Step 2: Initial review

  • MPO conducts an initial assessment of projects’ contribution to national interest factors and identifies which federal approvals are required.

Step 3: Consultations

  • MPO ensures consultations with Indigenous Peoples, as well as provinces/territories and federal ministers.

Governor in Council decisions

Ongoing consultation with Indigenous Peoples throughout this phase.

Step 4: Minister’s recommendation

  • The Minister recommends to the Governor in Council (GiC) that the project be listed in Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act.

Step 5: 30-day notice

  • A 30-day notice is posted in the Canada Gazette, Part I. 
  • Provinces and territories give written consent to list if a project falls within an area of their exclusive jurisdiction.

Step 6: GiC Decision and Order in Council

  • The order in council is published in the Canada Gazette.
  • The project of national interest and a description are added to Schedule 1.
  • The project details are posted in an online registry.

Upfront greenlight

Step 7: Regulatory approvals and conditions

Consultation with Indigenous Peoples is ongoing throughout this phase.

Once the project has been added to Schedule 1, the Building Canada Act provides upfront conditional federal approvals, shifting the focus of regulatory review from “whether” to proceed to “how” the project can proceed:

  • MPO works with proponents and expert departments and agencies on the regulatory review process and Indigenous consultation.
  • Conditions related to federal approvals are consolidated in a single “conditions document,” allowing the project to proceed within two years.

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